Meeuwisse named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year

Sixteen-year-old mountain bike and cross-country ski phenomenon, Soren Meeuwisse (MAY-WIS-SA), was named Orillia’s 2013 Athlete of the Year at tonight’s Council meeting.

“I’d like to thank my nominator, my family for their support and my coaches Kevin Simms and Ron Howden,” said Meeuwisse after being presented the award.

Mayor Angelo Orsi and Coun. Michael Fogarty of the Recreation Advisory Committee presented Meeuwisse, who was one of five nominees for the title, with the Norm Davis Athlete of the Year trophy.

“The City of Orillia is honoured to present Soren with the 2013 Athlete of the Year Award,” said Mayor Orsi. “At such a young age, Soren has accomplished so much in not only one, but two sports. She is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.”

Nominees for the 2013 Orillia Athlete of the Year included speed skater Stephen Graham, 31, cyclist Rob Holmgrem, 42, wrestler Chris McIssac, 16, and cross-country skier Harry Seaton, 26.

2013 was a standout year for Meeuwisse. The OD/Park Secondary School student finished 1^st in the mountain bike national championships, provincial championships, the overall Canada Cup series, and the provincial mountain bike series. She was recognized as a Tier-1 athlete, one of only 14 athletes across all disciplines of cycling both male and female. As a cross-country skier, she finished 9^th in the National Cross Country Ski 7.5 km Skate, and 2^nd place in the 7.5 km Classic Race at the Hardwood Ontario Cup.

Nominated by Dr. Michelle Gordon, Meeuwisse is described as “an exceptional athlete, the likes of which we get to see only a few times in our lifetime.”

Sean Kelly, Endurance Development Coach with the Ontario Cycling Association, says Meeuwisse is a “world class” athlete. “I am sure that if she continues to love the pursuit of the sport she will go as far as she wants to and we will see her on the podium of the world stage very soon,” Kelly said.

The Norm Davis Athlete of the Year trophy is presented annually to a local athlete who best represents individual ability, dedication to training schedule and good sportsmanship. First awarded in 1952, the trophy has now been handed out 54 times to 53 different Orillia athletes. The winner is selected by a 10-person selection committee made up of the four Orillia high schools, the Elementary School Physical Education Council, The Orillia YMCA, KICX 106 FM, Sunshine 89.1 FM, the Orillia Packet & Times, Orillia Today, and the City’s Recreation Advisory Committee.

The 2012 Athlete of the Year was presented to runner Lisa Avery. For a full list of past winners visit http://www.orillia.ca/en/livinginorillia/athleteoftheyear.asp.

The City of Orillia is a city of 30,586 people in the heart of Central Ontario on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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